KR20100088293A - Method for providing digital contents and apparatus for providing digital contents - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital contents providing method and digital contents providing device are provided to provide digital contents based on using type of a user thereby improving use convenience. CONSTITUTION: Whether an operation control signal directing performance of prescribed contents was provided is determined(101). If the operation control signal is provided, predetermined contents corresponding to the operation control signal is performed(103). Contents using history stored in storage unit is updated(105). Whether control signal directing edit of bookmark is provided is determined(107). If the operation control signal is provided, the user interface for the bookmark edit is provided. Bookmark contents edited by a user are stored.

Description

Method for Providing Digital Content and Device for Providing Digital Content {Method For Providing Digital Contents And Apparatus For Providing Digital Contents}

The present invention relates to a digital content providing method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a digital content providing method and a digital content providing apparatus capable of providing digital content based on a user's usage behavior.

As communication and broadcasting technologies have advanced, IPTV services, which are a convergence of a communication service based on a widely spread IP network and a broadcast service providing various contents based on digital broadcasting, are commercially available.

In order to provide IPTV service, various IP network technologies, broadcast AV technologies, service control technologies, and content protection technologies are used in combination.

In general, to use the IPTV service, only a set top box connected to the Internet and a TV receiver connected to the set top box need to be provided, and the user can access the Internet, movies, music, home shopping, home banking, Various digital contents and additional services provided through the Internet such as online games can be used.

Specifically, in a general IPTV system, a set-top box manages a list of digital contents provided in a hierarchical tree structure and provides a user interface based on the hierarchical tree structure. Therefore, in order to select the predetermined content that the user wants to use, since the menu path must be sequentially moved to the location of the predetermined content, the time required for menu selection is increased and the use is cumbersome.

In addition, the IPTV system assigns a unique number for each digital content and inputs a unique number corresponding to the predetermined digital content that the user wants to use by using a remote controller. By providing the content to be executed to improve the above-described inconvenience in use and to provide a method for allowing the user to directly select a predetermined digital content.

However, in order to directly execute the predetermined digital content through the unique number as described above, the user needs to be aware of the unique number corresponding to the predetermined digital content that the user wants to use.

In addition to the above functions, the IPTV system provides a bookmark function or a record of content used by the user in the form of a menu in order to improve usability.

However, the bookmark function has a disadvantage in that it is still cumbersome because the user must directly set the digital content to be included in the bookmark and then go to the bookmark menu and select the desired content.

In addition, since the record of the content used by the user includes the record of all the content used by the user, the number of digital content included in the usage record increases as the number of digital contents used by the user increases. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that the user is still inconvenient to use because the user must select a predetermined digital content among a plurality of digital contents included in the usage record item.

The first object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a digital content providing method that can improve the ease of use by providing digital content based on the content usage behavior of the user.

In addition, a second object of the present invention to provide a digital content providing apparatus that can improve the ease of use by providing digital content based on the content usage behavior of the user.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing digital content, the method comprising: arranging a content usage list according to the number of times a user uses the content, and each of the contents included in the sorted content list. Generating a code image corresponding to the content and generating content print information consisting of the sorted content list and the code image. The digital content providing method includes the steps of printing the content print information, photographing a code image in a print on which the content print information is printed, extracting corresponding content information from the photographed code image, and The method may further include providing a control signal instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information. In the extracting of the content information corresponding to the captured code image, the unique code value of the content may be extracted from the captured code image. Providing a control signal instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information may transmit a unique code value and an operation control signal of the content corresponding to the extracted content information. The digital content providing method may further include executing content corresponding to the unique code value in response to the provided unique code value and the manipulation control signal. The digital content providing method may further include obtaining an access code value corresponding to the unique code value from a content list database corresponding to the provided unique code value and operation control signal of the content, based on the obtained access code value. The method may further include executing the corresponding content. The content print information may include at least one of content name, content usage date, content usage count, content category, content author, content execution time information, and code image corresponding to each content for each content. have. The content print information may include electronic program guide information corresponding to each content.

In addition, the digital content providing method according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the first object of the present invention, the step of reading a list of the content edited by the user, each of the contents included in the edited content list Generating a code image corresponding to the content and generating content print information consisting of the sorted content list and the code image. The digital content providing method may further include printing the content print information, photographing a code image in a printed material on which the content print information is printed, extracting corresponding content information from the photographed code image, and The method may further include providing a control signal instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information.

In addition, the digital content providing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the second object of the present invention, the content list database and the content usage list based on the storage unit and the control signal instructing printing the content usage list is stored A first control unit for reading the content and arranging the contents according to the number of times of use of the content, generating a code image corresponding to each of the contents included in the sorted contents list, and generating the sorted contents list and contents printing information including the code images. Include. The digital content providing apparatus provides a control signal for instructing the printing, photographs a predetermined code image from the printed content list, extracts content information from the photographed code image, and corresponds to the extracted content information. It may further include a remote controller for providing a control signal instructing the execution of. The remote controller may further include an image processor extracting a unique code value of the content from the photographed code image. The remote controller may provide a unique code value and an execution control signal of a content corresponding to the extracted content information. The digital content providing device may execute content corresponding to the unique code value in correspondence with the provided unique code value and execution control signal. The digital content providing device obtains an access code value corresponding to the unique code value from a content list database stored in the storage unit in accordance with the provided unique code value and execution control signal of the content, and obtains the obtained access code. The content can be executed based on the value.

In addition, the digital content providing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the second object of the present invention, based on the content list database and the storage unit storing the user-edited content list and the control signal for instructing printing Reading a list of contents edited by a user, generating a code image corresponding to each content included in the list of contents edited by the user, and generating content print information including the sorted content list and the code image It includes a first control unit.

According to the digital content providing method and the digital content providing apparatus as described above, the content usage records arranged in accordance with the number of times of use of the contents or the content usage records arranged in the favorites and the code image corresponding thereto are printed or printed out. After outputting the corresponding code image as a printed matter, simply photographing the code image for the predetermined content in the printed matter by using a camera installed in the remote controller and manipulating an execution key, the predetermined content corresponding to the photographed code image is obtained. Make it run immediately.

Therefore, the content frequently used by the user can be easily printed out. In addition, since the desired content can be easily executed only by photographing the content desired to be used in the printed matter output through the remote controller and by operating the execution key, the usability of the digital content providing device and the digital content is improved.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, in one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for providing digital content may include a device for receiving digital content through a wired communication network such as the Internet or a public switched data network and providing digital content corresponding to a user's manipulation. .

Alternatively, the digital content providing device may include a device for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting or digital satellite broadcasting through an antenna and providing a broadcast signal provided in response to a user's manipulation.

Also, the digital content providing device may include a remote controller including a plurality of keys and providing an operation control signal corresponding to the user's operation to the device through a wireless or wired interface corresponding to the user's key operation.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a digital content device receives a digital content from a content providing server through a wired or wireless interface, and provides a set top box for providing digital content corresponding to a user's operation, and a user's operation. An example will be described as including all of the remote controllers controlling the set top box by transmitting a corresponding operation control signal to the set top box.

1 illustrates a configuration of a digital content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a digital content providing system according to an exemplary embodiment includes a set top box 300, a remote controller 400, a display device 510, a printer 520, and a content providing server 530. Can be.

The set-top box 300 executes the predetermined content in response to an operation control signal instructing execution of the predetermined content from the remote controller 400.

Here, when the predetermined content is not stored in the storage device, the set-top box 300 requests the provision of the predetermined content by providing an access code value of the predetermined content to the content providing server 530. The predetermined content is received from 530 and then executed, and the content usage record corresponding to the executed content is updated.

In addition, the set-top box 300 is provided with a control signal for instructing printing from the remote controller 400, based on the number of times of use of the content list (for example, favorite list) or content usage history edited by the user After generating the code image corresponding to each of the sorted and arranged contents, the content printing information including the sorted content list and the code image is generated and provided to the printer 520.

The set-top box 300 may include a large-capacity storage device, and the large-capacity storage device may store a content list database or electronic program guide information including all contents that can be provided.

Here, the content list database may store a unique code value and / or an access code value that may distinguish a predetermined content from other contents and may be provided to a content providing server for executing the predetermined content, and access to the unique code value. The code value may be composed of the same value or different values.

The remote controller 400 may include a plurality of keys and a camera unit 440 for capturing code images included in printed matters, and when a predetermined key is operated by a user, an operation control signal corresponding to the operated key may be provided. The set top box 300 is provided.

In particular, the remote controller 400 captures a predetermined code image printed on the printed matter in accordance with a user's key operation, and extracts content information corresponding to the captured code image. When the key for instructing the execution of the content corresponding to the extracted content information is manipulated, the set top box 300 is provided with a unique code value of the content and an operation control signal for instructing the execution of the content.

The display device 510 is connected to the set top box 300 to display an execution screen of predetermined content provided from the set top box 300. The display device 510 may be, for example, a digital television, a projector, or the like.

The printer 520 is connected to the set top box 300 and outputs content print information provided from the set top box 300. The printed matter 521 may include a code image corresponding to each content.

The content providing server 530 may be connected to the set top box 300 through a communication network, and may include a large capacity storage device for storing a plurality of content data, content related information, electronic program guide information, and the like.

In addition, when the content providing server 530 is requested to provide predetermined content to the set top box 300, the content providing server 530 may read the requested content from the storage device and transmit the requested content to the set top box 300 in real time through a communication network.

Here, the set top box 300 and the content providing server 530 may be connected to the Internet, public switched data network, and the like.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a digital content providing process according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a process of a set-top box operated in response to a control signal provided from a remote controller.

In the digital content providing process illustrated in FIG. 2, the set-top box may receive an operation control signal provided from a predetermined key or a remote controller provided in the set-top box by completing the initialization process after power is applied. Assume that a standby state capable of processing a control signal has been entered.

Referring to FIG. 2, first, the set-top box determines whether an operation control signal for instructing execution of predetermined content has been provided (step 101), and if it is determined that the operation control signal has been provided, the set top box determines a predetermined operation corresponding to the provided operation control signal. The content is executed (step 103).

Here, the operation control signal for instructing the execution of the predetermined content is a user operating a key provided in the set-top box, or the user operates a predetermined key provided in the remote controller and the remote controller correspondingly outputs the operation control signal. It can be provided by transmitting to the set-top box.

Thereafter, the set top box updates the content usage record stored in the storage unit in accordance with the execution of the predetermined content (step 105).

Here, the content usage record may include the name of the content, the date and time of use of the content, the number of times the content is used, or additional information related to the content (for example, content category, author, content authoring company, content execution time, content usage fee). Etc.) may be associated and stored.

In addition, the set-top box determines whether a control signal for instructing editing of a favorite is provided (step 107), and if it is determined that an operation control signal for instructing editing of a favorite is provided, the set-top box provides a user interface for editing a bookmark. The favorite content edited by the user is stored (step 109).

Here, the bookmark is a kind of menu provided by the set-top box, which can be configured in a folder form, and includes a predetermined content in the bookmark folder so that the bookmark can be easily executed without moving a complicated menu path. it means.

In addition, the set-top box determines whether a control signal for instructing printing is provided (step 111), and if it is determined that a control signal for instructing printing is provided, the set top box determines whether the provided print control signal is a control signal for printing a content usage record. Or, it is determined whether it is a control signal for printing a favorite list (step 113).

If it is determined in step 113 that the print control signal is a control signal for printing the content usage record, the set-top box reads the content usage record from the database stored in the storage unit, and each of the contents included in the read content usage record. Are arranged based on the number of uses (step 115).

The set top box then generates a code image corresponding to each of the aligned content (step 117). Here, the code image may be composed of a two-dimensional image such as a bar code or a dot code, and, when the code image is formed of a dot code, a plurality of marks composed of at least one of a dot, a straight line, and a polygon may be used to convert a predetermined content from another content. It is arranged to be distinguishable.

When a unique code image corresponding to each content is generated as described above, the set-top box generates content print information composed of the respective content information and the code image corresponding thereto (step 119).

Content information included in the generated content print information in step 119 may include the name of each content, the number of times each content is used, the date and time of use of each content, and additional information related to the content.

Alternatively, the set-top box extracts EPG information corresponding to each content from an electronic program guide (EPG: abbreviated as 'EPG') provided from a content providing server, and corresponds to the extracted EPG information and each content. It is also possible to generate the content print information consisting of the code image.

Next, the set-top box provides the printer with the content print information generated in step 119, so that the list of contents and the unique code value corresponding to each content are output in the form of a code image based on the number of times of use of the user (step) 121).

In step 113 of FIG. 2, if it is determined that the provided print control signal is not a control signal for printing the content usage record, the set-top box determines that the print control signal is a control signal for printing a favorite list, and step 115 Instead of performing, the process proceeds to step 117 to generate a code image corresponding to each piece of content included in the favorite, and by performing the following steps, each piece of content information included in the favorite and the unique code image corresponding thereto. Print

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing digital content according to an embodiment of the present invention, which illustrates a process performed by a remote controller.

Referring to FIG. 3, a user photographs a predetermined code image printed on a printed matter by using a camera provided in a remote controller (step 201).

Thereafter, the remote controller processes the photographed code image to extract predetermined content information corresponding thereto (step 203), and then temporarily stores the extracted unique code value in a storage unit provided in the remote controller (step 205).

Here, the extracted unique code value may be a unique code value assigned to each content.

The remote controller determines whether an event instructing execution of content corresponding to the content information extracted in step 203 has occurred (step 207), and if it is determined that an event instructing execution of the predetermined content has occurred, the predetermined content is determined. After generating an operation control signal instructing execution of the unique code value and the operation control signal to the set-top box (step 209).

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the method for providing digital content according to an embodiment of the present invention outputs a list of contents registered to favorites and a code image corresponding thereto as printed matter or based on the number of times of use of the contents used by the user. After outputting the sorted content usage record and the corresponding code image to the printed matter, the code image for the predetermined content is taken from the printed matter by using the remote controller, and the operation code is executed. It is possible to improve the usability of the content by allowing the corresponding predetermined content to be executed immediately.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing digital content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus for providing digital content according to an embodiment of the present invention may be largely composed of a set top box 300 and a remote controller 400.

The set top box 300 may include a first air interface 310, a first control unit 320, a first storage unit 330, a printer driver 340, a communication interface 350, and a content execution unit 360. Can be.

The first air interface 310 receives a predetermined radio signal from the second radio interface 430 of the remote controller 400, converts the received radio signal into an electrical signal corresponding thereto, and transmits the radio signal to the first controller 320. to provide.

Here, the wireless signal may be a signal corresponding to an operation of a predetermined key among a plurality of keys provided in the key input unit 410 of the remote controller 400, and the electrical signal may be recognized by the first control unit 320. It may have a form (for example, a bit string) that can be an operation control signal for controlling the operation of the set-top box 300.

In addition, the first air interface 310 may be configured as an infrared receiving module that receives an infrared signal and converts it into an electrical signal corresponding thereto, and receives and converts an RF signal into an electrical signal corresponding thereto. It may be configured as an RF receiving module.

The first controller 320 receives an operation control signal from the first air interface 310 and performs control corresponding thereto.

For example, when an operation control signal for instructing execution of predetermined content is input from the first air interface 310, the first controller 320 requests the predetermined content from the content providing server through the communication interface 350. Receives predetermined content from the content providing server and controls the content execution unit 360 to execute the provided content.

Here, the first control unit 320 may request the predetermined content by providing an access code value of the predetermined content to a content providing server.

Alternatively, when the operation control signal for instructing the printing of the content usage record is input through the first air interface 310, the first control unit 320 reads out the content usage record stored in the first storage unit 330, and reads it. Each content included in the recorded content usage record is sorted based on the usage count, and then a code image corresponding to each sorted content is generated.

Thereafter, the first controller 320 generates content print information including each content information (or EPG information of each content) and a code image corresponding thereto, and then provides the generated print information to the printer driver 340. . Here, the content information included in the generated content print information may include the name of each content, the number of times each content is used, the date and time of use of each content, and additional information related to the content (for example, content category, author, content authoring company, and content). Execution time, content usage fee, etc.), and the code image corresponding to each content may be configured in the form of a two-dimensional image such as a barcode or a dot code.

Alternatively, when an operation control signal for printing favorite contents is input through the first wireless interface 310, the first controller 320 generates a code image corresponding to each content included in the favorite. In addition, the first controller 320 generates content print information including content information and code images of each content and provides the same to the printer driver 340.

In addition, when the first control unit 320 receives an operation control signal for instructing execution of predetermined content and a unique code value of the predetermined content from the first air interface 310, the first control unit 320 sends the first storage unit 330 to the first storage unit 330. It is determined whether the predetermined content is stored in the first storage unit 310 by using a unique code value. When the predetermined content is stored in the first storage unit 310, the predetermined content corresponding to the unique code value is determined. Read and execute the content.

Alternatively, when the predetermined content is not stored in the first storage unit 310, the first control unit 320 stores the access code value corresponding to the unique code value in the first storage unit 330. After reading from the request, the content providing server transmits the predetermined content to the content providing server, and receives the predetermined content from the content providing server in real time.

Here, the unique code value and the access code value may be configured identically or differently. When the unique code value and the access code value are different from each other, the first controller 320 searches for a unique code value provided from the remote controller 400 in the content list database to obtain a corresponding access code value. The content is executed to be executed based on the access code value.

In addition to the above functions, the first control unit 320 controls the operation of all components included in the set-top box 300 based on a preset control method and / or an operation control signal provided from the remote controller 400. Perform the function.

The first storage unit 330 may be configured as a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device (eg, a hard disk drive), and a content usage record and a content list database (or EPG information) may be stored. Here, the content usage record database may be updated every time the content is used based on the control of the first control unit 320.

In addition, the first storage unit 330 may store a variety of information set by the user, such as an operating system for the operation of the set-top box 300, application programs and favorites required to execute various contents. Can be.

The printer driver 340 receives the content printing information from the first control unit 320 and provides the content printing information provided to the printer connected to the set-top box 300 and controls the operation of the printer to print the information. To be printed.

The communication interface 350 may be configured as a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface, and transmits data for requesting provision of predetermined content to a content providing server (not shown) based on the control of the first control unit 320, The content data provided from the content providing server is converted into a form that can be recognized by the first control unit 320 and then provided to the first control unit 320.

When the set-top box 300 is connected to the Internet, the communication interface 350 may be a wired network interface card such as an Ethernet adapter. When the set-top box 300 receives satellite or terrestrial digital broadcasting, the communication interface ( 350 may be a wireless network interface card such as an RF transceiver module connected to an external antenna.

The content execution unit 360 performs a function of executing predetermined content based on the control of the first control unit 320. The content executor 360 may include an audio and / or video codec corresponding to the encoded format for executing music, video, document, etc., encoded in a predetermined format, and the image and / or corresponding to the executed content. Alternatively, an audio signal may be provided to the display device and / or the audio device.

The content execution unit 360 may be configured as, for example, an independent semiconductor chip, or may be configured as a software program that may be read and executed by the first controller 320.

The remote controller 400 may include a key input unit 410, a second control unit 420, a second air interface 430, a camera unit 440, an image processing unit 450, and a second storage unit 460. have.

The key input unit 410 may include a plurality of keys for performing numbers, letters, or special functions, and provides a key event signal corresponding to a user's key operation to the second control unit 420.

When a predetermined key event signal is provided from the key input unit 410, the second control unit 420 determines the content indicated by the provided key event signal. In addition, an operation control signal corresponding to the determined content is generated and provided to the second air interface 430 so that the operation control signal can be transmitted to the set top box 300 through the second air interface 430.

In addition, when it is determined that the key event signal provided from the key input unit 410 instructs the code image shooting, the second control unit 420 controls the camera unit 440 to capture a predetermined code image printed on the printed matter. .

Thereafter, the second controller 420 controls the image processor 450 to extract content information corresponding to the captured code image, and then stores the extracted content information in the second storage unit 460.

In addition, when a key event signal for instructing execution of predetermined content corresponding to the extracted unique code value is provided from the key input unit 410, the second control unit 420 controls operation to instruct execution of the predetermined content accordingly. The signal and the unique code value are provided to the second air interface 430 to be transmitted to the set top box 300.

The second wireless interface 430 converts the operation control signal and the unique code value provided from the second control unit 420 into a wireless signal and then transmits the converted control signal to the set top box 300. Here, the second air interface 430 is preferably configured of the same type as the type of the first air interface 310.

For example, when the first air interface 310 is configured as an infrared receiving module, the second air interface 430 is also configured as an infrared transmitting module, and when the first air interface 310 is configured as an RF receiving module, The two air interface 430 is also preferably configured as an RF transmission module.

The camera unit 440 converts the optical signal of the subject incident through the lens into an electrical signal through an image sensor and converts the converted electrical signal into a digital image signal based on the control of the second controller 420. 450 and / or the second control unit 420.

The image processor 450 receives an image signal captured by the camera unit 440, processes the provided image signal, extracts content information, and provides the extracted image information to the second controller 420. Here, the image processing unit 450 may be configured as a software program that can be executed by the second control unit 420, and the extracted content information may be, for example, a unique code value assigned to each content. .

The second storage unit 460 may be configured as a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, and the unique code value read by the image processor 450 may be stored under the control of the second controller 420. have. Also, an image processing software program executed by the image processor 450 may be stored in the second storage unit 460.

5 illustrates a configuration of a photograph and a code image of a code image printed on a printed matter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5A, code images are printed in a repetitive arrangement of the same code image in a predetermined area of a printed matter, and the same code image corresponds to a unique code value representing one same content.

In the code image photographing picture illustrated in FIG. 5A, a plurality of identical code images corresponding to one predetermined content are repeatedly printed. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, a camera installed in a remote controller is illustrated. The size of the code image and the number of repeating arrangements of the same code image may be adjusted according to the focal length and / or the viewable angle of view.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of one code image area in the code image photographing picture shown in FIG. 5A. In the embodiment of the present invention, 8 mark areas and 8 mark areas are shown in FIG. And a code image is designed to have one unique code value by a combination of whether or not a dot is displayed in each mark area.

The distance between the mark area and the adjacent mark area is 0.01 mm each for the width (D _H ) and the length (D _V ) so that the width (L _H ) and the width (L _V ) of each code image area are 0.08mm. It was.

In addition, the outermost mark areas are used to indicate the information on the direction of the code image, and a total of 2 ³⁶ unique marks are displayed in the remaining 36 areas, except for the outermost part, that is, 36 mark areas each of 6 width and width. You can use the value.

Here, the number of mark areas may be changed according to the number of unique code values to be used, and the size of the dots displayed in the horizontal (D _H ) vertical (D _V ) and mark areas between the mark areas is determined by the photographing resolution and the camera unit. It can be changed according to the print resolution of the printed code image.

6 shows a printed content list according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a printed matter printed with the content list arranged based on the content usage record.

Referring to FIG. 6, the printed matter printed according to an embodiment of the present invention is printed in a descending order, starting from the content with the highest number of times using the content according to the number of times the user uses the content.

In addition, the printed content list may include content additional information such as content name, content usage count, content category, content playing time, content producer, and date and time of use for each content, and a unique code value corresponding to each content. This may be printed in the form of a code image as shown in FIG.

Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the printed content list may be configured to include EPG information of each content and a code image corresponding to each content.

Therefore, the user can easily use the desired content by photographing the code image corresponding to the content to be used in the printed matter as shown in FIG. 6 with a camera installed in the remote controller and then operating a predetermined button for instructing execution.

Although described with reference to the embodiments above, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Could be.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a digital content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a digital content providing process performed in a set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a digital content providing process performed in a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing digital content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 illustrates a configuration of a photograph and a code image of a code image printed on a printed matter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 shows a list of printed content according to one embodiment of the invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

300: set-top box 310: first wireless interface

320: first control unit 330: first storage unit

360: content execution unit 400: remote controller

410: key input unit 420: second control unit

430: second wireless interface 440: camera unit

Claims (21)

Sorting the content usage list according to the number of times the user uses the contents; Generating a code image corresponding to each content included in the sorted content list; And Generating content print information consisting of the ordered content list and the code image. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital content providing method Printing the content print information; Photographing a code image on the printed matter on which the content print information is printed; Extracting content information corresponding to the captured code image; And And providing a control signal instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information. The method of claim 2, wherein the extracting content information corresponding to the captured code image comprises: And extracting a unique code value of the content from the photographed code image. The method of claim 2, wherein providing a control signal instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information comprises: And a unique code value and an operation control signal of the content corresponding to the extracted content information. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital content providing method comprises: And executing the content corresponding to the unique code value in response to the provided unique code value and the operation control signal. The method of claim 4, wherein the digital content providing method comprises: Acquiring an access code value corresponding to the unique code value from a content list database corresponding to the provided unique code value and operation control signal of the content; And And executing the corresponding content based on the obtained access code value. The method of claim 1, wherein the content print information is Digital content comprising at least one of a content name, content usage date, content usage count, content category, content author, content runtime information, and code image corresponding to each content for each content. How to Provide. The method of claim 1, wherein the content print information is And digital program guide information corresponding to each content. Reading a list of contents edited by a user; Generating a code image corresponding to each content included in the content list edited by the user; And Generating content print information consisting of the ordered content list and the code image. The method of claim 9, wherein the digital content providing method Printing the content print information; Photographing a code image on the printed matter on which the content print information is printed; Extracting content information corresponding to the captured code image; And And providing a control signal instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information. The method of claim 10, wherein the extracting content information corresponding to the captured code image comprises: And extracting a unique code value of the content from the photographed code image. The method of claim 10, wherein providing a control signal instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information comprises: And a unique code value and an operation control signal of the content corresponding to the extracted content information. The method of claim 12, wherein the digital content providing method comprises: And executing the content corresponding to the unique code value in response to the received unique code value and execution control signal of the content. The method of claim 12, wherein the digital content providing method comprises: Obtaining an access code value corresponding to the unique code value from a content list database in accordance with the provided unique code value and execution control signal of the content; And And executing the corresponding content based on the obtained access code value. A storage unit for storing a content list database and a content usage list; And The content usage list is read out based on a control signal instructing printing to be sorted according to the number of times of use of the contents, a code image corresponding to each of the contents included in the sorted contents list is generated, and the sorted contents list and the codes are displayed. And a first control unit for generating content print information composed of an image. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the digital content providing device is Providing a control signal instructing the printing, capturing a predetermined code image from the printed content list, extracting content information from the photographed code image, and instructing execution of content corresponding to the extracted content information; Digital content providing apparatus further comprises a remote controller for providing a signal. The method of claim 16, wherein the remote controller And an image processing unit which extracts a unique code value of the content from the photographed code image. The method of claim 16, wherein the remote controller And a unique code value and an execution control signal of the content corresponding to the extracted content information. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the digital content providing device is And executing the content corresponding to the unique code value in response to the received unique code value and execution control signal of the content. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the digital content providing device is The access code value corresponding to the unique code value is obtained from the content list database stored in the storage unit in accordance with the provided unique code value and the execution control signal of the content, and the corresponding content is obtained based on the obtained access code value. Digital content providing device, characterized in that the execution. A storage unit for storing a contents list database and a list of contents edited by a user; And After reading the list of contents edited by the user based on a control signal instructing to print, generating a code image corresponding to each of the contents included in the list of contents edited by the user, the sorted contents list and the And a first control unit for generating content print information composed of a code image.

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